The toll was given by the technical assistant, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lawal Bakare, in a statement.

The statement read: “As of April 17, 2017 (Monday), 8,057 suspected cases of meningitis had been reported across the country; 230 (3 per cent) were laboratory confirmed.”

“A total of 745 deaths (9.2 per cent) have been recorded. Of the 8,057 cases, 7,519 (93 per cent of cases) have occurred in the five states that have reached outbreak levels for CSM serotype C.”

“The worst-hit states are Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Niger.”

“At the national level and in the affected states, activities aimed at driving information in the grassroots, including advocacy meetings with religious leaders, civil society organisations, health professionals, entertainers and media organisations, continue.”

“The National Primary Health Care Development Agency successfully led vaccination in Zamfara and in Katsina states targeting persons between ages two and 29 years in the priority Local Government Areas in both states.”

“Preparations are at advanced stages for the next round of vaccination in priority wards and local government areas in Sokoto State.”

Bakare further stated that the CSM national emergency operations centre at the NCDC had been leading the national coordination and support for the outbreak response in affected states.